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Stuart Elementary CGC Sage Grouse Project - Page 2   

Sage Grouse -  Mrs. Harder's class
Sage Grouse in Idaho used to be so thick,
Trying to find a place to walk was really quite a trick.
When their huge flocks took flight,
Even the brightest day turned into night.
The grouse need sagebrush to survive,
Providing shelter and food, it keeps them alive.
When it's time to find a mate,
The male Sage Grouse can hardly wait.
They all meet at the strutting ground,
Fan their tails and prance around.
They inflate balloons on their chest,
Showing the females they're the best.
Today the Sage Grouse are in danger,
The land around them is becoming stranger.
The land is being turned into agricultural fields,
Farmers hoping this rich land will bring high yields.
Without sagebrush to have as cover,
Hunters and predators around will hover.
If people in Idaho don't act quick,
Soon there won't be a single Sage Grouse chick!

How to be a Sage Grouse -  
Mrs. Harder's class
Use sagebrush as a house.
Share it with a tiny mouse.
Puff you chest to attract a mate.
At the strutting ground, find a date.
Stay in Idaho all winter long.
In the spring sing a funny song.
Sing ba-loop at the break of dawn.
Have your sagebrush turned into lawn.
Hope Idahoans will start to conserve,
The land you've lived and rightly deserve.

What is a Sage grouse?  

"Hi Zach!  I just learned some really interesting information about an important bird in Idaho."

"What bird did you learn about Michelle?"

"The Sage Grouse"

"Why is it called that?"

"Probably because it lives in the sage brush, and it eats the leaves of the sage brush."

"What color are they and how big are they?"

"Sage grouse are grey, black, white and brown.  The male is about 28 inches and the female is a little smaller."

"What kind of nest does it have?"

"The sage grouse makes it's nest on the ground out of grass. the eggs are a greenish color."

"I've heard that sage grouse do something really strange.  Do you know anything about that?"

"They sure do!  When it is mating season, the male struts around with his chest all puffed out and makes loud booming sounds.  That is done to attract females."

"Are there a lot of sage grouse in Idaho?"

"Actually their population is going down because people are destroying their habitat.  When we build houses, we have to clear away the sage brush, then these birds have no where to live.  Range fires also destroy their habitat."

"That sounds really interesting Michelle.  I hope the sage grouse don't become extinct."

"Well Zach, if we all care about the sage grouse and help take care of their habitat, their populations will grow."

"It's all up to us!"